Paolo Di Canio has been fined £8,000 by the Football Association after admitting a charge of misconduct.

The Sunderland manager was involved in a lively exchange with the referee Martin Atkinson late in the 3-1 defeat by Arsenal on Saturday and was eventually sent to the stands. The Italian later said he had invited Atkinson to "complete a perfect job" by sending him off. Di Canio's frustrations centred around Atkinson's decision, with Arsenal winning 2-1, not to play advantage for a foul by Bacary Sagna on Jozy Altidore, when the forward went on to put the ball in the net after the whistle had gone.

An FA statement read: "Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has been fined the standard penalty of £8,000 after he admitted an FA misconduct charge in relation to his behaviour during his side's game against Arsenal on Saturday 14 September 2013."

Di Canio, although worse off financially, at least avoided a ban from the dugout.

Sunderland, in a brief statement of their own, added: "He [Di Canio] is free to take his place on the touchline when Sunderland visit West Brom this weekend."